The elder languages were fitter for poetry because they expressed only prominent ideas with clearness, the others but darkly.... Poetry gives most pleasure when only generally and not perfectly understood. It was so by me with Gray's "Bard" and Collins' Odes. The "Bard" once intoxicated me, and now I read it without pleasure. From this cause it is that what I call metaphysical poetry gives me so much delight.
[Compare Lecture vi. 1811-12, Bell & Co., p. 70; and Table Talk, Oct. 23, 1833, Bell & Co., p. 264.]
COMPARISONS AND CONTRASTS
Poetry which excites us to artificial feelings makes us callous to real ones.
The whale is followed by waves. I would glide down the rivulet of quiet life, a trout.
Australis [Southey] may be compared to an ostrich. He cannot fly, but he has such other qualities that he needs it not.